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An orthopedic cast, or simply cast, is a shell, frequently made from plaster or fiberglass, that encases a limb (or, in some cases, large portions of the body) to stabilize and hold anatomical structures—most often a broken bone (or bones), in place until healing is confirmed. It is similar in function to a splint.
Antonius Mathijsen (November 4, 1805 – June 15, 1878) was a Dutch army surgeon who first used plaster of Paris to fixate broken bones in a plaster cast. Biography [ edit ]
Acheson and Elinor Hallé were both sculptors [9] and they witnessed soldiers returning from the front with broken limbs held together with only wooden splints and basic bandages, Acheson suggested taking a plaster cast of the limb and when the cast had hardened, wrapping papier mâché over it, and placing it over the broken limb to support it ...
The loss of a limb, or even death, was a possible outcome for a broken bone prior to the invention of the modern cast. Brilliant in its application, yet ingeniously simple, the cast method required little expense (bandages, plaster and water), minimal time for the physician, and provided a faster and more effective cure for broken bones. [2]
Once in place, the device is injected with a liquid resin that quickly hardens, giving fractured bones the support they need to heal. Waterproof cast lets patients swim with broken bones [Video ...
Plaster is widely used as a support for broken bones; a bandage impregnated with plaster is moistened and then wrapped around the damaged limb, setting into a close-fitting yet easily removed tube, known as an orthopedic cast. Plaster is also used in preparation for radiotherapy when fabricating individualized immobilization shells for patients ...
The earliest known medical text, the Edwin Smith papyrus of 1552 BC, describes the Ancient Egyptian treatment of bone-related injuries. These early bone-setters would treat fractures with wooden splints wrapped in bandages or made a cast around the injury out of a plaster-like mixture. It is not known whether they performed amputations as well. [3]
Spica casts are used for treating hip dysplasia (developmental dislocation of hip). [1] [2] Spica casts are typically made using a soft padded lining, which tightly wrapped around the leg and hip joint. It is then wrapped in either a fiberglass or plaster cast. Fiberglass is generally preferred, as it is stronger than plaster and significantly ...